From Margins to Centre: The Experiences of Black Free School Proposers

Abstract

This is a qualitative piece of research focused on the experiences of African Caribbean education practitioners/grassroots organisations in applying to open free schools in London during the period 2010-2014. Although free schools were launched under the auspices of engaging local communities in delivering educational services, the evidence suggests that the free school landscape is dominated by already established, powerful organisations. Using a Critical Race Theory framework, the research interrogates how race and racism operate in the free school application and approval process which is largely concealed from the public. This thesis argues that in spite of the colourblind discourse surrounding free schools, both overt and covert racism are factors in the how free school applications are being assessed by the government. The research challenges the exclusion of many black grassroots practitioners/organisations from opening free schools by identifying several assets they possess which make them well placed to deliver educational services.